Type of activity: in this method, the teachers come in and read a story to the kids, using physical props that are put together in a “story basket”. The method here really is the message, as we strive to create an environment of calm, reflective, loving care for each individual’s exploration of experiential wondering questions. If you can sit on the floor and enjoy young children, this position is for you.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures in the Spirit Play classroom

Tell the core stories of our UU faith using the Montessori method

Lead and model Wondering and loving and respectful community

It’s a “Win” if:

Children participate in rituals and practices of UUism (Chalice Lighting, etc)

Children grow in loving relationship to one another and to the community

Children practice justice through kindness and show appreciation for diversity

Labyrinth Learning Assistant

This class is taught by a staff teacher, and assistants come to help. Each workshop will begin with a whole group presentation and then there will be four stations the children can choose from: silent reading, arts/crafts/cooking, games/drama/music, and discussion/investigation. If you enjoy active children and any of the learning styles of the stations then this is the right position for you.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures in the classroom

Assist with classroom management and the upholding of the classroom Covenant

Assist with crafts and active games and projects

Help clean up the space afterward

It’s a “Win” if:

Children grow in their understanding of UU ritual and practice, UU belief, UU history, and the 6 UU Sources

Children engage in justice through fairness and show appreciation of diversity

Children grow in loving relationship to one another and the community and understand and uphold Covenant

Middle School Advisors

Most Sundays the group will be using curriculum, which this year is Twilight Zone and will involve watching episodes of the classic show and then discussing the ethical and philosophical questions raised by them. If you like thoughtful discussion, would like to learn and explore along-side middle graders, and have an appreciation for this age group, this is the position for you!

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures with the group

Model Covenantal community and provide leadership as needed to help youth maintain Covenant and live our 7 Principles

Facilitate youth in forming community and exploring their identity and beliefs

Follow the curriculum provided and also respond to the learning moments that arrive in conversation, promoting justice and inclusivity

It’s a “Win” if:

Youth form community and see themselves as part of the larger OUUC community

Youth practice justice through Equity and value diversity

Youth form loving relationships and practice Right Relationship and Covenant with one another, with OUUC, and with the World

Youth explore big questions, articulate their own viewpoints and beliefs, and listen to one another’s ideas respectfully

Coming of Age Mentors

Coming of Age content is led by the Director of Religious Education, with Mentors providing relational support to youth and modeling the many ways to be an adult of faith and an adult Unitarian Universalist. In past years mentors worked specifically with one youth, but this year will be different with mentors serving as a “pool” and mentoring all the Coming of Age youth.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures with the group, particularly through supporting a safe weekend retreat for the youth

Participate in Coming of Age workshops alongside youth

Model a mature Unitarian Universalist identity or a mature faith/ethical/philosophical identity and perspective

Build supportive and appropriate intergenerational relationships with the youth

It’s a “Win” if:

Youth are supported in exploring their beliefs and understandings of the world and themselves

Youth are invited into deeper relationship with the congregation, and given knowledge of the meaning and responsibilities of membership in the congregation

Youth have positive and supportive relationships with trusted adults who serve as role models for how to live a life of integrity and faith

Teen Faith in Action Leadership Council Advisors

This will be a new program for the 2019-2020 church year, with youth ages 13-18 meeting once a month to plan youth-led social justice and service projects. Each month we will invite a guest speaker to present about a different faith in action project or issue, and then youth will discuss and plan their own projects. Advisors will support but not lead the council.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures with the group

Serve as a bridge between the youth and the adults of the congregation

Provide advice and ideas when asked, facilitate conversation between youth if needed

It’s a “Win” if:

Youth are empowered to act on their faith and their values

Positive intergenerational relationships are fostered

Youth Soul Matters Facilitator

Youth meet once a month to discuss the Soul Matters theme, in a slightly modified format from the adult gathering. Adult facilitators provide scaffolded and covenantal leadership, facilitating when needed and promoting youth facilitation when possible.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures with the group,

Model a mature Unitarian Universalist identity or a mature faith/ethical/philosophical identity and perspective

Support youth in upholding their Covenant and in respectful sharing and listening

It’s a “Win” if:

Youth are supported in exploring their beliefs and understandings of the world and themselves

Youth built covenantal, respectful, and loving community

Youth Group Advisor

Youth Group is the catch-all of all the fun, service, and learning that our High School youth want to engage with. This year youth have chosen to hold a monthly “Fun” meeting at OUUC that will be visitor and drop-in friendly, and they may also schedule additional events when they meet in the Fall for further planning. Advisors get to “hang out” with the youth and support these events as needed.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain Safe Congregation, emergency, and supervision procedures with the group, occasionally by serving as chaperones, carpools, and sponsors as needed

Support youth in upholding their Covenant and creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming community

Support and advise youth leadership, stepping in to lead and facilitate if needed

It’s a “Win” if:

Youth have positive and supportive relationships with trusted adults who serve as role models for how to live a life of integrity and faith

Youth form a covenanted and loving community, while still remaining open and welcoming and inclusive to newcomers